Background and Authority

The Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972 set a precedent for the Nation’s clean water regulations.  Though the scope of the Act has broadened since its inception, its basic features include the designation of water quality standards and anti-degradation policies for ensuring these standards.  One of the major enforcement tools of the Act is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting Program, which requires municipalities to obtain permits to discharge their storm water runoff into surrounding waters. Under the terms of these permits, municipalities are required to take certain actions to control the various pollutants that are collected in storm water runoff.  Penalties for noncompliance can include fines as high as $25,000 per day.